AN EVENT organiser trying to revive a Sidmouth Caribbean Night at Knowle in August has been granted a licence and now needs to raise £3,000 for the fun to go ahead.

But Exeter resident Paul Keating, who is organising the festivities for the first time, has also decided to slash spaces from his initial estimate of 3,000 to 499.

Paul said: “This will make it more affordable for those who want to purchase a ticket, and gives the night a greater chance to continue year on year.

“When you are aiming to revive something like this, you need to start out small.”

East Devon District Council licensing officers have given the night their blessing, and it is now dependant on £3,000 being raised to cover its costs.

The event, planned to take place on August 9 from 3.30-11.30pm, will feature live music and Caribbean cuisine.

Paul said he could have had a more gung-ho approach, but a smaller night gives him a ‘good platform’ for a similar event to take place again next year.

He is also hoping to give this year’s night a ‘new twist’.

Bands and DJs are being sought to perform.

“This whole event relies on public support,” Paul added. “We have set up a crowd funding page online which is ready to go now, but will be launched on Monday [June 16].”

A Caribbean Night last took place in Sidmouth in 2010.